Trailer steering mechanism



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed pt. 17. 1947;

19 D as 4 INVENTOR TORNEY March 10, 1953 1. H. SHAFFER 2,631,043

TRAILER STEERING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 17. 194 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTO RNEYJ' March 10, 1953 1, sH 2,631,043 V TRAILER STEERING MECHANISM FiledSept. 17, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

Z0141 wwzm Patented Mar. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRAILERSTEERING MECHANISM Ivan H. Shaffer, Cleveland, Ohio ApplicationSeptember 17, 1947, Serial N 0. 774,505

16 Claims. 1

This invention relates to steering means for trailers, especially to alarge, steerable trailer used for hauling freight.

Heretofore large trailers, that are adapted to be coupled to andsupported by tractors at their forward ends and be supported at theirrear ends by one or more axles, have been provided for carrying largeamounts of freight in an economical manner. The present tendency is tomake trailers larger and larger so that they can carry more freight andone limitation on the size of" trailers is that set up by various stateswhich regulate the amount of load that can be applied to one axle, orone set of tires. Hence, the tendency in manufacture of large trailerstoday is that the trailers should be provided with two axles in tandemrelation at the rear end of a trailer; In fact, some trailers have evenbeen provided with three axles positioned in tandem atthe rear end ofthe trailer.

In using these large modern trailers which have tandem axles, a majorproblem is presented in attempting to steer the trailer, since the oneforward tandem axle should be movable in relation to the rear axle so asto permit the trailer to be turned on an are centered on the rear axle.

In many instances, this forward axle has not when the trailer is goingin reverse. The steering devices heretofore provided usually comprisesmeans useful only in steering the trailers on forward movement. Somesmall trailers have been provided with devices that allegedly will steeron both forward and reverse motion but such mechanisms are not suitablefor use on .large trailers that carry heavy loads.

The general object of the present invention is to avoid and overcome theforegoing and other disadvantages of and limitations in previous typesof trailer steering devices and to provide a device which ischaracterized by its steering action being operable for both forward andreverse movement of the trailer.

Another object of the invention is to utilize the laterally directedforces set up in a trailer when the same is started to turn so as tofacilitate such turning action.

A further object of the invention is to provide two steering controlsfor a movable axle of a tandem axle trailer whereby one controlfunctions for forward movement of the trailer and the other for reversemovement. 1.

Another object of the invention is to provide sturdy, uncomplicated,inexpensive, steering means for a tandem axle trailer.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will bemanifest as the specification proceeds. 1 I i Attention is directed tothe accompanying drawings, wherein: V

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a trailer provided with steering apparatusembodying the principles of the invention;

I Fig. 2 is a plan of the trailer of Fig. 1 when moving forwardly;

Fig. 3 is a plan similar to Fig. 2 with the start of the steering actionbeing illustrated;

Fig. 4 is another plan similar to Fig. 2 indicating further progress ofthe steering action? 5 is a fragmentary section on line.5-5o g. Fig. 6is a plan similar to Fig.2 showing the device when the trailer is beingbacked in a straight direction; 5

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary plan, similar to Fig. 6,

showing progress in the turning action when backing;

Fig.8 is a fragmentary enlarged plan a: a modified yoke construction;and 1 Figs. 9 through 13 are diagrammatic figures showing the principlescontrolling the steering action of the apparatus of the invention.

Now referring in detail to the structure shown in the accompanyingdrawings, a tandem wheeled trailer having steering means associatedtherewith is shown generally at [0. The trailer III includes a frame IIwhich is made from a plurality of longitudinally extending members thathave transversely extending members H associated therewith at spacedintervals. The'frame I l is provided with an axle l2 journalling wheels13 thereon, with the axle I2 being fixedly secured to the trailer frameby means of springs M which are secured to the axle l2 and engage at oneend with a support bracket l5, secured to the frame, in any conventionalmanner. The trailer It) also is provided with an axle l5 which ismovably associated with the remainder of the trailer. The axle I6 has aplate l'l, usually formed of relatively heavy metal sheet, fixedlysecured thereto. This plate I! extends longitudinally of the trailerand-may extend the full width thereof. as shown in the drawings. Loadfrom the trailer I is carried on the axle 16 by means of a plurality ofvertically extending supports 18 which have feet [9 pivotally securedthereto, and which are secured to the frame. These feet I9 are formedfrom conventional material, usually metallic, and merely have frictionalengagement with the upper surface of the plate ll. As shown in Fig. 1,the supportslfiare positioned forwardly of the axle 16 while similarsupports 2|, having feet 22 pivotally secured thereto, are secured toequalizer arms 23 that are pivotally secured to brackets 24 extendingdownwardly from the trailer frame H. The rearward ends of the equalizerarms 23 engage with the forward ends of the springs [4 in any desiredmanner so as to aid in coupling the axles l2 and I6 together foreq'ualdistribution of load therebetween.

The foregoing construction, it will be seen, con- ,tainsno reference toany fixed connection betweenuthe axle i8 and thetrailer frame. H andthis is a salient feature of the present invention so 'thatfrelativelateral movement occurring be- 4 the rearward movement of the yoke andits assooiated means with relation to the pin 31, and the front end ofthe lever 25. However, certain relative movement axially of the trailermay occur without interfering with the connection between the yoke 38and the lever 25 and from the position shown in Fig. 5, the yoke 38 andwheel and axle assembly may move forwardly of the trailer. In someinstances, a bar or other stop meansmay beassociated withthe yoke 38intermediate the forward and rear ends thereof so as to limit therelative forward movement of the yoke 38.with relation to the channels33 and 34. This stop means may be necessary in order to make theconnection between the movable axle and the frame II more desirable andsafe for general truck operation.

tween the trailer frame and the axle it, when 5,

turning the trailer by a tractor, can be used to steer such axle andthus the trailer. Means for effecting this action, are provided and theyinclude-a lever which extends longitudinally of :the frame II and ispivotallysecuredthereto intermediate its ends by a fulcrum pin 28. In

:the form ofthe invention illustrated herein, the

rearward end of the lever 25 is bifurcated to provide arms 21 and 28.Eachof these arms 2; and

28- carries a control armZQand 39, respectively,

that extends downwardly therefrom. These con- ;trolarms 29 and3il carryrollers or other conventional low friction contact-means 31 that extendtherefrom at the lower ends thereof and are positioned thereby above theplate ll.

So as to controlthe lever 25 on forward movement of the'trailer, abracket 32 of substantially 1 V-shape in section is secured to the uppersurface of the plate I! in any conventional manner so a .thatsaidbracket32 extends upwardly therefrom ;tothe-rear of the fulcrum pinZB. Fig. 2clearly brings out that the control arms 29 and 31! and ,rollers3l areso positioned that they-are spaced ;laterally of the bracket 32. Thisindicates the normal position of the trailer frame [I and movable a-xlelfiwhenthe tractor, not shown, is pulling the trailer Iii in a straightlineina forward direction.. Th forward end of-thelever-ZB is 3 providedto steer the plate il and is associated with an arcuate guide member, inthis instance,

apair of opposed channels 33 and 3d. The for- Ward end of the lever arm25 hasrollers 35 and L 35*?- associated with it, which rollers arereceived in the channels 33 and 34, respectively, which have suitablestop members 33 positioned at their endsso as to limit arcuate movementof the lever arm25. The rollers 35 and 35 are mounted on Q a shaft orpin 3'! that extends therebetween and f'iS secured to the lever arm 25.The pin 31 also engages with steering means, such as a steering arm, ora yoke 38 which is pivotally secured to the-plate ll bymeans of brackets39 oneof which is engaged with each end of the yoke 38 by a pin 40.extending through the bracket and the 1 end of the yoke 38' wherebyslight pivotal move-= l mentof the yoke 38 is permitted. The stops 36secure the-channels 33 and 34 together and plates l36:may. secure suchunit to the frame H at each side thereof. I y

.trailer i6 and the. axle l6 whereby such initial backing force whenappliedto the trailer Ill-will slidethe trailer 10 rearwardlywithrelation to the axle l6and-themounting-plate ll, In some Fig.'- 5 of thedrawing, best; indicates thatthe:

Now, in operation of the steering device as hereinbefore explained, andonly for operation when the trailer isbeingpulledforwardly thereof, thesteering device will function to aid. the movable axle It in properlypositioning itselfin relation to the trailer lfl so as to steer theframe H in a desired manner. To this end, the initial turning action ofthe trailer ID, caused bythe tractor pulling the. front end. of itlaterally, will occasion a sliding of theframe ll laterally of the plateI! and associated axle 15 so as to bring the roller 3| on either the.control arm 29 or 30, depending upon the. direction of movement, intoengagement with the. control bracket 32,, as indicated in Fig. 3. Thecontinuedturning movement of the trailer m with effect arcuate movementof the lever 25 occasioned by continued relative lateral movementbetween the frame H and the plate. unit. I'I-L. By forcing. the arm 2-!of the lever 25 outwardly of the trailer Hl,,the forward end of thelever. 25. will be movedoppositely of the longitudinal. axis. of thetrailer 10, again as indicatedin Fig.4. Such forcedmovement oftheforward end of the lever 25 will, in turn, through the yoke 3,8,forcethe plate. I1. and

.axle it to turn in the directionv in. whichthe -.pos ition of the.lever 25.. Thisconstruction also enables a small. relative lateralmovement .to

efiect the desired steering.

Whenit is desired to back the trailer 10 and still effect steeringaction, a further novel feature of the invention becomes apparent inthatlimited relative axial movement mayzoccur between the instances; thebraking action in stopping the trailer 18, inasmuch as such action isapplied to the wheels mounted. on the axle Iii-,1 will cause forwardsliding actionof'the traileriframe ll with relation'to the axle l6;Thus, in all events, 65-

' is secured to the frame ll intermediatezthe'cona further control armor auxiliary guide, 41 which trol arms 29 and 3B and ma planetherewit-hand which may carry a roller, is brought into engagement withthe apex ofthe bracket 32. Then a turning force applied'to the trailer in willeffect a skiddingaction of the trailer. frame I I. laterallywithrelation'to the plate H so as to cause slight lateral movementtherebetween and this action will directly turn the plate and movableaxle unit in the direction of the applied force so as to steer tion.Thus the trailer will be adapted to turn centered on its rear wheels.

Relative movement between the trailer II and the plate I! may befacilitated in any desired manner, as by greasing or otherwiselubricating the top surface of the plate in any conventional manner.This lubrication will reduce the frictional forces between evena heavilyladen trailer and a support plate so that the required limited relativelateral movement between the support plate, and associated axle means,and the trailer can be easily effected when the trailer is being pulledin an arcuate direction or being backed in an arcuate direction by itsassociated tractor. Likewise. the relative longitudinal axial movementof the plate I! and associated axle and wheel assembly can readily beeffected when changing the direction of movement of the trailer fromforward to reverse or vice versa.

In order to show clearly the principles on which the steeringaction ofthe invention is effected, Figs. 9 to 13 are provided to illustratediagrammatically how the steering action of the invention occurs. Thus,Fig. 9 shows the arrangement between the actual steering lever 25, whichcarries the roller R, and the bracket 32 which actually controls theposition of the movable plate H. In this instance, the longitudinal axisof the lever 25 coincides with the center line A-A of the trailer. Fig.10 shows how the center line A-A of the trailer has had a movementangularly with relation to the lever 25 and has brought the arm 21 intoengagement with the bracket 32. Fig. 11 illustrates that continuedrelative lateral movement between the trailer and support plate doesnotsubstantially change the relative positioning of the axes of thetrailer and the lever 25. Such a continued movement laterally of thetrailer moves the pivot point P for the lever and thereby effectsarcuate movement of the lever 25 due to one end thereof bearing on thebracket 32 and the desired steering action is achieved.

7 The steering action, above described, is used only when the trailer isbeing pulled forwardly by its prime mover, whereas Figs. 12 and 13illustrate the action when the trailer is started to be hacked and whenturned when being backed. Thus, the control arm M is shown in engagementwith the bracket 32 in Fig. 13 whereas such member 4| in the forwardmovement of the trailer is out of engagement with the bracketfi32. Fig.13 illustrates that the center lines of the trailer and lever remainsuperimposed when arcuate reverse movement of the trailer is effectedafter the movable axle is shifted to its foremost position by theinitial backing movementf This relationship is maintained by engagementbetween the bracket 32 and the control arm 4| which effects a directsteering action on the plate I1 and associated axle and wheel means whenthe trailer is being backed in an arcuate reverse direction.

It will be seen that the actual structure used in the practice of theinvention may be varied appreciably, as desired, without departing fromthe principles of the invention. To this end, one possible modificationof the steering means of the invention is shown in Fig. 8 and, in thisinstance, a plate III pivotally carries steering arms I33 which engagewith a plate member I39 in either a pivotal or a fixed manner, whicheveris desired. The plate I39 is in turn provided with a longiwith a supportpin I3'I which in turn is secured to a lever arm I25; Thus,'the..pin I31can move;

longitudinally of theplate. I39to onlya limited extent which will inturn permit. only limited:

longitudinal movement of the support plate II'I with'relation to theremainder of .the trailer. As in the previous form of theinvention, thepin I31 carries conventional roller means I35 that engage with anarcuate guide device I33 ofany desired construction whereby controlledarcuate movement of the forward end of the lever I25 is permitted. Theplate member. I39 is carried by the guide device I33 and is retained inpositionby means (not shown) that retain thepin I31 and lever arm I25and device I33 in engagement.

Fig. 6 shows that the yoke 38 is moved forwardly with relation to thepin 31 when the trailer is backed up. This frees the yoke 38.,fromdirect movement with the lever 25 and permits the plate I! and axle I6.to be turned by the arm 4| and its engagement-with the bracket 32, uponrelative lateral movement .of the plate I! and frame II. The arms 21 and28 are preferably spaced from the bracket 32 when'the trailer is beingbacked, although such clearance is." not clearly shown in the drawings.

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosedherein, it will beappre ciated that modification of this particular em-'bodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing from thescope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A steering device for a, tandem wheeled trailer, said steering devicecomprising a trailer frame, a lever arm, a fulcrum memberfor said leverarm secured to said trailer frame intermediate the ends of said leverarm, an axle movably associated with said trailer frame,. a platefixedly associated with saidv axle and extending forwardly andrearwardly'of the trailer an appreciable distance, a plurality ofsupport elements extending downwardly from said trailer frame andslidably engaging with said plate for transmittal of load to said axle,an equalizer member pivotally secured to said trailer frame, supportelements carried by said equalizer member and bearing on said supportplate on the longitudinally opposed portion of same with relation tosaid axle as said first mentioned supportelements for retaining saidplate substantially parallel to said frame, a pair of contact armssefcured to the rearwardl-y directed end of said lever, a V-shapedrearwardly pointed guide plate secured to said plate and extendingupwardly therefrom between and for engagement withsaid contact arms, athird contact arm associated with said trailer frame and positionedwithin said of said movable axle and said trailer, an arm-- ate guidemember secured tosaid trailer frame adjacent the front end of saidlever, a roller member carried by the forward end of said lever arm andengaged with said guide member for arcuate movement with relation to thelongitudinal axis of said trailer, said third contact arm being adaptedto engage said guide plate for controlling the arcuate position of saidaxleon reverse movement of said trailer, and a steering arm associatedwith said roller member and engaged with said movable plate whereby-arcuate movement of said lever arm by relative-lateral movement.transversely, thereof, spacedlguide. armsicarried. by .said lever arm atmovement betweenasaidzmovabl'ez axle. and. said: trailer: occasions: arcorrespondi'ngturning; move-- ment; of saidtmova'ble axle:

2. ll-steeringi' device; for: a; tandem wheeled trailer! having" twoindependent: axles thereon; said .steeringrdevicer comprising: a trailerframe; a leveraarm',. afulcrum member secured to said trailerr frame:and engaged t with said lever-arm, intermediat'eithe ends-thereof,anaxle movablyassociatedawitn said. trailer-frame;-aplatefixedlyassociatedtw-ithrsaid movable axle. and extending; forwardlyand: rearwardly or the trailer" an 213+ preeiables. distance; aplurality of, support. ole-.- mentss extending: downwardly from: saidtrailer. fnamezamh frictionall ti engaging with said platefontransmittalrofi load to: said'axle, anequalizer memberpivotallyzsecuredito said trailer frame, supportelementsmarriedgbyisaidi equalizer mom-:- berr; and bearing; on; saidsupport plate on. the longitudimrlly v opposed portion of same: withre.- lation to ssaidiaxl'e as;saidxfirst.-mentioned support elements afor; retaining said: plate substantiallx parallelito; said frame;a1contactarm-secured-to. the rearwardiysdirected endiofi said lever, .aguide plate secured to said: plate and: extending upwardlytherefrnnnfor: engagement with-said contact" army. said contactw arnrand: said guide plate being: adapted: to; l contactto" movesaid leverarm relatively-of longitudinal; axis .of \said'trailer uponrelative'dateralunovementcof said movable axle and said trailenhanarcuaterguidezmember securedzto saidrtrailer frame positionedabelow.same. adj acent the front end of said lever, a roller member car-IidEJ-by? thezforwardiendsof. said lever. arm and engaged with: said;guide memberfor: arcuate movement: wit'lnirelation; to the longitudinal.axis ofxsaid1trailer; andzia steeringaarm associated witlr said; roller:member and: engaged with said movable-plate wherebymovement of said:lever arms by: relative lateralamovement. between. said movable; axleandsaid trailer occasions a corresponding turning. movement. of: said.movable axle;

3.-.In: combination; aria-elongate trailer having at? least, two axlesassociated with the rear por= tion thereof; one of :said: axles beingfixedly secured to; said trailer and at least one of said axlesbeing-..movablv associated with: said:- trailer,

said: movable axle having, a longitudinally extending suppoit device;associated: therewith,.;a I plurality of. support; members associatedwith said trailer and. bearing on said. support. device at transverselyespaced portions-thereof. for. sliding, contactw therewith,.. a lever.arm extending axially of said. trailer, [a fulcrum. pin. pivotallirsecuring saidlever arm to saidtrailer for. pivotal transversely the rearportion thereof; a guide. member fixedly associatedwith said plate, oneofsaid guide arms being. adapted. to engage with said. guidejmemher. to.move saidlever arcuately about said pivot on.relative.lateralrmovementbetween said movableaxle and" said frame in either direction, an areuateguide deviceassociated with said trailer forwardly of-saidmovableaxle,means movably engaging the forward end 'of saidleverwith said arcuate.guide, and; a steering, yoke associated with theforwardendof said leverand connected to-said plateto transmit arcuate movement of said. leverto said movable. axle to turnsame upon lateralmovement'of the trailerwith relationto said-movablea-xle. Y

4; In\ combination. an. elongate trailer having atileast. twoaxlesassociated with therear. portion. thereof,, one of. said axles being.fixedly se-.-,

cured to said trailerand at least-.oneofsaid axles.

being movably associated withsaid trailer,.a horizontally positionedplate associated with. said movable axle, a plurality. of supportmembers associatedwith said trailer and bearing onsaid plate-for slidingcontact therewith, a lever. arm

extending axially of said trailer, a fulcrum pin.

pivotally securingsaid lever arm to said trailer. for: pivotal movementtransverselyv thereof, a

guide: member fixedly associated with'said plate.

saidlever to 'saidmovable axle toturn. sameuponv lateral movement of.the trailer with relationto said movable axle.

5; A trailer steer-ingdevice asinclaim 4.wherein saidmovableaxle-isadapted to have-limitedlongitudinab movement withrelation. to said trailer, and anaux-iliary guideis secured tosaidtrailer and adapted'to engage saidguidememher for steeringsaidmovableax-le'onlywhen such axle is in its forwardmostposition;

8. In combination, an elongate trailer. having. at-lleast two axlesassociatedwith the rear portion thereof, one-of said axlesbeingsubstantially fixedly secured to: said trailer and at. least-oneof saidaxles being movably associated. with said trailer, alongitudinally-extending plate associe ated therewith, aplurality ofsupport-members assoeiated-withsaidtrailerv and supported: by. saidplate for sliding: contact therewith, a lever arm extending axially ofsaid trailer andLhavinga-bie furcated rear end; a-fulcrum pin pivotallysecuring said lever arm intermediate its ends to said trailer for.pivotal movement transversely thereof, a substantially v-shaped guidemember fixedly associatedwith said plate and adapted to engage itssideswith the rearwardly extending end-of said lever to move same arcuately.about said pivot on relative-lateral movementbetweensaid movable: axle:and'sa-id frame, anrarcuate guide device associated: with: said trailerforwardly; of saidv movable: axle; means-.movably. engaging; the

forwardiend of said lever with said arcuateguide,

and. a steering; member. associated with. the? for;- ward endofsaidleverandconnected to saidpla-te for: limited. axial movement: and totransmit arcuate movement of said lever. to said movable axle toturn-sameupon lateralmovement of. the

vtrailer with relation to said movable axle,- said 1 curedtolaterallyspaced. portions of the. rear. sectionof saidlevenaguidebracket-associatedWith said axle and adapted-to engage.withsaidicontact9i membersrsaid guide bracket normally being adjacent but out 'ofcontact with said contact arms and being positioned therebetween, meansfor guiding and limiting the arcuate movement of the forward endofsaidlever, means connecting the forward end of said lever to said axle forcontrolling the position of said axle by the position of said lever,said guide bracket being adapted on relative lateral movement betweensaid axle and said frame to contact the said contact arm on the oppositeside of said trailer from that direction in which said trailer is beingturned so as to force the forward end of said lever and thereby saidmovable axle in the direction of the desired turn, said movable axlehaving limited axial movement of the trailer, said guide bracket beingadapted to be moved out of association with said contact members whensaid movable axle is at its foremost position, and a contact deviceassociated with said frame and adapted to be engaged with said guidebracket only when said movable axle is at its forwardmost position foreffecting steering action of said axle upon reversal of said trailer.

8. A steering device for a tandem wheeled trailer, said steering devicecomprising a movable axle, a frame, wheels journaled on said axle,support means associated with said axle and transmitting load from saidframe to said axle, said support means being adapted to permit relativesliding movement between said axle and said frame, a lever pivotallysecured intermediate its ends to said frame, a pair of contact armssecured to laterally spaced portions of the rear section of said lever,a guide plate secured to said support member and adapted to engage withsaid contact arms, said guide plate being positioned between saidcontact arms, means for limiting the arcuate movement of the forward endof said lever, means connecting the forward end of said lever to saidaxle for controlling the position of said axle in relation to theposition of said lever, said guide plate being adapted on relativelateral movement between said axle and said frame to force the saidcontact arm on the opposite side of said trailer from that direction inwhich said trailer is being turned laterally outwardly so as to forcethe forward end of said lever and thereby said movable axle in thedirection of desired turn, said movable axle having limited axialmovement of the trailer, and a contact arm associated with said frameand adapted to be engaged with said guide member only when said movableaxle is at its forwardmost position for effecting steering action ofsaid axle upon reversal of said trailer.

9. A steering device for a tandem wheeled trailer, said steering devicecomprising a movable axle, a frame, support means associated with saidaxle for transmitting load from said frame to said axle, said supportmeans being adapted to permit relative sliding movement between saidaxle and said frame, a lever pivotally secured intermediate its ends tosaid frame, a guide plate associated with said support member adjacentthe rear section of said lever, means for limiting the arcuate movementof the forward end of said lever, means connecting the forward end ofsaid lever to said axle for controlling the position of said axle inrelation to the position of said lever, means associated with said guideplate for controlling the position of said lever on relative lateralmovement between said axle and said frame, and a contact memberassociated with said frame and adapted to be engaged with 10 said guideplate only when said movable axle is at its forwardmost position foreffecting steering action of said axle upon reversal of said trailer.

10. Steering means for a trailer comprising a trailer frame, an axlemovably associated with said frame, control means movably associatedwith said trailer frame, a steering member associated with said movableaxle and engaged with said control means for steering said movable axleon forward movement of the trailer'by relative lateral movement betweensaid movable axle and said control means, and means associated with saidtrailer frame-and engaged with said movable axle for steering same onrevers e movement of the trailer, said last named means being engagedwithsaid movable axle only whenzsame iS iIlglflS foremost position withrelation to said trailer frame.

11. A steering device for a tandem wheeled trailer, said steering devicecomprising a movable axle, a frame, support means associated with saidaxle for transmitting load from said frame to said axle, said supportmeans being adapted to permit relative sliding movement between saidaxle and said frame, a lever pivotally secured intermediate its ends tosaid frame, a guide plate associated with said support member adjacentthe rear section of said lever, means for limiting the arcuate movementof the forward end of said lever, means connecting the forward end ofsaid lever to said axle for controlling the position of said axle inrelation to the position of said lever, and means secured to said frameand associated with said guide plate for controlling the position ofsaid lever on relative lateral movement between said axle and saidframe.

12. In a tandem wheeled trailer having at least two transverselyextending longitudinally spaced axles, which trailer has a front and arear end, a trailer frame, a support plate secured to one of said axlesand forming a unit therewith, means extending between and connectingsaid unit to said trailer frame, and a pair of support members carriedby said trailer frame and extending downwardly therefrom to bear on saidsupport plate, said support members having only gravity contact withsaid support plate, said support members being on longitudinally opposedsides of the said axle to which said support plate is secured.

13. A trailer as in claim 12 wherein said support plate is movablelongitudinally and transversely of said trailer frame, steering meansare provided to connect said unit to said trailer frame to steer saidunit on forward movement of said trailer, and other steering means areprovided to connect said unit to said trailer frame to steer said uniton rearward movement of said trailer, said steering means beingindividually engaged dependent upon the relative longitudinal positionsof said trailer frame and said unit.

14. In a tandem wheeled trailer, a trailer frame, an axle, a supportplate secured to said axle and forming a unit therewith, means extendingbetween and connecting said unit to said trailer frame for movementtherewith, a support member secured to said trailer frame and extendingdownwardly therefrom to said support plate, an equalizer bar memberpivotally secured intermediate its ends to said trailer frame, and asecond support member secured to one end of said equalizer member andextending down to said support plate, said support members beingassociated with longitudinally opposed portions of said support platewith relation to said axle.

frame, and means securing an opposed end por- .tionof said spring to asaid equalizen.

, A16.:A- trailer as in claim 14 wherein saidsupport member extendssubstantially vertically, and a footmember ispivotally secured to thelower Number :end of said suppontfl-member and bears onsaid 10 Numbersupportzplate;

IVAN H. SHAFEEER.

.fileof this; patent:

12 UNITED STATESTATENTS' Name Date Warhus Apr. 24,1928 Pinard Nov, 1,1938 'Pinard Apr. 18, 1939 Hoobler Apr 10, 1945 Letzkus June 4; 1946FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany .Apr. 2.7, .1932

